New Skipper Training Week Greece 2022 Review

Greece Skipper Training week 2022 review

After an unseemly delay I’ve now found time to write a post describing our new skipper training week in Greece back in June 2022.

We booked a Dufour 385 from Lefkada and 5 lucky guests joined Graham on board. The main aim of the trip was to allow new skippers – of which there were 2 – to experience the challenges and pleasures of bareboat chartering in the Ionian. Since many skippers do their RYA training in the UK, where tides are very important but marinas are plentiful, there is inevitably something of a culture shock when they bareboat charter for the first time in the eastern Med.

There was another objective behind the trip: to give everyone involved a thoroughly good holiday in the warmth and beauty of the Greek islands after 2 years of covid restrictions. Photos and comments here should allow you to judge whether this was achieved!

New skippering skills learnt

There are quite a few skills demanded of and challenges presented to the skipper of a bareboat charter yacht. They include

• victualling the yacht

  

• planning and executing an itinerary
• choosing the right anchorage
• knowing when to leave and when to arrive
• setting the anchor, and rigging mooring lines ashore
• arriving in harbour and choosing a suitable mooring option
• stern to berthing, using both the anchor and laid lazy lines
• planning water and food replenishment
• coping with sudden changes in the weather
• keeping the crew happy and harmonious.

We were fortunately able to consider and practice all of these things. The itinerary turned out to be a particular success, thanks to the careful research  carried out by the skippers who made use of every source of information, including the advice of someone on the flight out. We visited Kastos, Atokos, Poros, and Port Leone as well as a number of lovely lunchtime anchorages before arriving back in Lefkada. In total we covered 145nm under sail and motor.

Anchoring is potentially the biggest headache for the skipper, whether it be in a harbour as part of a stern to mooring, or in an isolated anchorage. We took the opportunity to have a go at running long lines ashore to stop the boat swinging at anchor (which requires good planning and team work), as well as setting up a snubber and rigging a wind chute.

New found confidence on the water thanks to Graham’s incredible skills as an educator and skipper.

The ups and downs

One key experience is to have to deal with the unexpected. There is only so much that the pilot book or a friendly contact can tell you.

Arriving in Poros harbour it was unclear as to the current layout and berthing arrangements for yachts. We discovered that a new pontoon had been laid which allowed for alongside berthing, but depths were uncertain and we had no idea who we should deal with. In this case a very friendly and helpful harbour master arrived who reassured us regarding our berth and recommended a spectacular restaurant overlooking the harbour.

 

Equally, what we hoped would be a quiet night at anchor in Port Leone was disturbed by a monumental thunderstorm and howling winds. Skippers took it in turns to take anchor watch. Happily, careful thought had positioned us in the most sheltered part of the bay and we were able to watch other yachts having to take emergency action rather than do it ourselves.

Future trips

It is expected that a similar trip will go ahead in June 2023. If you would be interested in taking part, either as a skipper or as a guest, please get in touch.

Relaxed opportunity to build boat confidence with like minded people under supervision of an instructor who lets you learn by experimenting.